Electrical heater for liquid cooled engines



July 6, 1948. R. L. P. BRAUN ETAL 2,444,627

ELECTRICAL HEATER FOR LIQUID COOLED ENGINES Filed on. 14, 1945 E- -1- MJIMHW Patented July 6, 1948 UNITED STATES EPTENT FFICE ELECTRICAL HEATERFOR LIQUID GOOLED ENGINES Ralph L. P. Braun, Ann Arbor, and Sam Urbant,

Inkster, Mich.

3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inwhat is believed to be a new type electrical heater for liquid cooledengines, the invention having particular reference to an attachment typeheater for application to an existing expansion plug hole in the watercirculation jacket of an automobile engine or the like.

These types of heaters, many of which are dis closed in the prior art towhich the invention relates, are simply substituted for the conventionalexpansion plug after the latter is removed and .are such as toexpose-and apply the source of heat to the cooling liquid in thecylinder block circulating system whereby to sufficiently warm the wateror other cooling liquid to a temperature sufiicient to facilitatestarting the engine in cold weather. The fact that these pre-heaters aregenerally well-known makes it unnecessary to dwell upon a description'ofriundamental needs and purposes. We are disposed to mention, however,that the heater shown in the drawings and to be hereinafter particularlydescribed, is similar in certain structuralrespects to the one coveredin a patent granted to us June 11, 1946, under Number 2,401,847.

In carrying out the specific principles of the invention we have evolvedand produced a novel structural device which is such as to constitute animprovement on the device set forth in the above identified patent andsimilar devices covered in various other germane patents with which weare already familiar.

In reducing to practice the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, we have found it expedient and practicable to employ simplecasing means embodying a water or liquid chamber designed to communicatewith the water circulating space in the aforementioned cylinder blockjacket, said casing being characterized by a central tubular hub portionto accommodate the stem of a T-shaped bolt which is employed foreffectively securing the casing to the jacket in alignment with theexpansion plug hole.

More specifically, novelty is predicated upon a casing which ischaracterized by an annular rim, this surrounding an internal cup-likereceptacle, said receptacle being provided with the aforementioned huband serving to effectively accommodate the electrical heating unit andhaving covering and retaining means therefor.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become morereadily apparent from the following description and the accompanyingillustrative drawings,

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the views:

Figure l is a fragmentary elevational View of a cylinder block showingthe electrical heater attachment, constructed in accordance with ourideas, mounted thereon, certain portions being shown in section,

Figure 2 is a view at right angles to Figure 1, parts essentially insection and showingthe complete picturization and co-action of saidparts, and

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 2, locking in thedirection of the arrows.

in Figure 2, the motor block, including .the water circulating jacket,is denoted by the reference character A and the cooling liquid in thecirculating space is denoted at B, the expansion plug hole, a customarypart of the jacket, is indicated at C.

The aforementioned casing is denoted by the numeral 5 and comprises acasting which includes an annular rim portion t this surrounding inspaced relation, an integral cup-like receptacle 1. ihe central portionof said receptacle is fashioned into a tubular attaching and assemblinghub 8. The receptacle serves to accommodate the electrical heater unit.9, this being an annular body of insulation surrounding the hub 8 andfitted snugly in said receptacle. As shown in Figure 3,

the inner face of said annular insert 9 is formed with a spiralingchannel which serves to accommodate the coiled and spirally bentresistance wire or heating element #9. A mica ring I 1 serves as a coverfor the channel means and heater wire it, this as shown better in Figure2. An asbestos ring it is fitted over the hub and seated on ashoulder-ledge it formed therefor in the receptacle '5. This part i2 isheld in place by a cover of appropriate flexible material, said coverdenoted by the numeral i i, and said cover being an-- nular and held inplace by a surrounding lip l5.

An appropriate seal is utilized for purposes of butting the open side ofthe casing against the jacket A and said seal embodies a ring it ofappropriate material and gaskets ii and I8 provided on opposite sidesthereof. These elements it, H and I8 cooperate with the annular rim 6and the receptacle l in defining a water chamber is": which lines upwith the expansion plug hole C, thus allowing the water or other coolingliquid to flow from the space B into the chamber of said casing 5 forheating purposes.

The entire assemblage is held operatively in place by a T-shaped bolt2!] whose head 21 spans 3 the hole 0, said head being located in thewater space B. The shank or stem 22 extends outwardly through and beyondthe hub 8 where it is threaded to accommodate a washer 23 and theretaining nut 24.

The numeral 25 denotes a porcelain fitting or lead box which is mountedexteriorly on the easing. The box is provided With binding posts 26 toaccommodate the leads 21, from the electrical heating means on theinterior of the casing. The binding posts also serve to accommodate thewire ends from a cord 28 having a prong equipped plug 28a. This plug maybe connected up with house current or any source of electrical supp yThe box 25 includes a sleeve or socket 29 to accommodate a bolt 30 whichis employed for fastening the box remoVably on the casing. The box alsoincludes a suitable cover 3|. It is understood, of course, that we arenot particularly concerned with the source of electrical supply, or theWays and means of delivering electrical current to the leads 21connected with the resistance wire H].

In practice, the expansion plug (not shown) is removed from theexpansion plug opening C and the device is bolted thereto by way of theT- shaped bolt 20. The liquid in the space B flows out through the holeC into the chamber l9 Where it is heated for purposes of warming same tothe desired temperature.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction withthe invention as illustrated in the drawing will enable the reader toobtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features ofmerit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of theinvention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts maybe resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made fromthe invention as claimed.

We claim:

'1. A water heater attachment for application to a standard expansionplug hole in a water circulating jacket, comprising a casing open on oneside, said open side being applicable to the exterior of said jacket inalignment With said expansion plug hole, said casing being closed at itsouter side, being provided with internal electrical heating means andwith a central tubular hub,

said hub being open at opposite ends, and a T- shaped bolt and nutassembly, the cross-head of said bolt being adapted to span theexpansion plug hole and to engage marginal portions of the jacketsurrounding the hole, the shank of the bolt extending outwardly throughand beyond the hub and secured in place.

2. A water heater attachment for application to and connection with astandard-type expansion plug hole in an automobile water circulatingjacket comprising a substantially circular casing including an annularrim, open on its inner side and adapted for disposition against theexterior surface of said jacket in alignment with the stated expansionplug hole and provided on its outer side with an integral cup-likereceptacle located concentrically within the confines of said rim, anelectrical-type heater unit removably lodged in said receptacle, coverand clamping means mounted on the outer portion of the casing andcovering said receptacle and retaining said heater unit in thereceptacle, and bolt and nut means for simultaneously assembling andholding the cover means in :place and also detachably connecting theentire attachment with said jacket.

3. A water heater attachment adapted to be mounted exteriorly on anautomobile water circulating jacket in alignment with the usualexpansion plug hole in said jacket comprising a casing which is open onthat side which is applied to said jacket, the opposite side of saidcasing being provided with an integral cup-like receptacle and saidreceptacle being located within the confines of the casing, saidreceptacle having a central tubular hub and said hub being open atopposite ends, an electrical type heater unit situated in the receptacleand surrounding the hub, annular COVer means surrounding the hub andfitted in the outer portion of said receptacle, a bolt mounted in saidhub and provided with a clamping nut holding the cover means in place,and further provided on its inner end with means connectible with thestated jacket and adapted to hold the entire attachment in operativeposition on the jacket.

RALPH L. P. BRAUN. SAM URBANT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,553,026 Brown Sept. 8, 19251,751,858 Nelson et a1 Mar. 25, 1930 2,401,847 Urbant et al. June 11,1946

